Delhi HC lifts stay order on Bharti 3G roaming pact ban

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside its earlier order that had halted the execution of a government ban on the 3G service pact of Bharti Airtel with other companies where it does not hold spectrum.

Airtel won 3G spectrum in 13 out of 22 telecom circles in 2010 through auction and entered into a quid pro quo agreement with other players who won the spectrum in other service area where it did not have spectrum to offer 3G services.

DoT has held that it is illegal to offer 3G data services beyond a company's licensed zone or circle. On December 23, 2011, the DoT had issued a letter instructing various telecom service providers including the Bharti Airtel to immediately stop providing the intra circle roaming service in all service area.